The researcher used twenty-eight (28) interview questions, and as such, could not cover the gamut of other relevant issues that influenced students and program effectiveness. Moreover, there were other unforeseen variables beyond the researcher’s control, which the researcher may not be able to grasp a comprehensive assessment of other pertinent variables that may affect the outcome of the study. Although there are eight hundred and twenty six (826) Upward Bound programs operating nationwide, many of the Upward Bound directors were not comfortable in participating in the study. The randomly selected population presents limitations in scope, as the study captured and represented two of the eight hundred twenty Upward Bound programs nationwide. Issues of time constraints in relation to meet and conduct interviews with Upward Bound directors hindered grasping some qualitative aspect of the research. Directors though compliant, could not answer some of the questions posed as it related to the new APR requirements at the time of the research was completed; and could not provide the results of their current APR report for analysis whether the stated objectives in their Upward Bound grant objectives were met or approaching the target percentage performance.
In addition, due to a high turnover in summer and year round staff, the quality and reliability of survey may offer a skewed perspective of the surveyor and this may affect the quality or lack thereof, a true representation of the Upward Bound program’s effectiveness and the participants’ perspective. Programs with similar gender and/or ethnic composition may be able to glean information from this research, some aspects of this research, and integrate the findings in their ...
... middle of paper ...
...l program management and an existential disposition are essential in maintaining the viability of the Upward Bound program, which services disenfranchised populations.
Moreover, program planning mechanisms and assessment used by Upward Bound during the academic year and summer are essential, mainly because it uses a combination of human capital, emotional and intellectual interactions, all of which have some immeasurable impact on student preparedness for college, the global economy and the knowledge capital economy. Using observations, and interviews, the researcher used audiovisual methods to capture the qualitative process. This is necessary and often missing component in program evaluation. The values, beliefs, as well as the intellectual, psychosocial models are intricate processes, which take place during program planning (inputs), implementation (outputs).
In 1993 there was a survey done at Kent State University, the purpose of the study was to determine why students choose not to return to the institution, in the article it included the results of the survey that was conducted, the conclusions of the survey, and also what the implications of the results would have on the University and how it recruited people to join their community. When looking at the survey that they did, and how they implemented it, I am not sure it was done in a way that would garner enough attention from those students who chose not to re-enroll in the institution. Once the semester had started Kent State gathered a list of 767 students who did not re-enroll and mailed them the survey to be fille...
John Marsh, Ph.D., shares his epiphany, that his sharing the popular belief that higher education was the answer to bringing about economic equality and curing poverty, was in fact wrong; in this short selection, “Why Education Is Not an Economic Panacea”, taken from his book, “Class Dismissed: Why We Cannot Teach or Learn Our Way Out of Inequality”. Marsh had felt that gaining a higher education himself worked to bring him to a level of economic equality, so, it should work the same way for everyone else. His change of heart comes after perhaps stepping down from the pedestal that many, with lots of letters after their name, sit on, or are put upon by others, and witnessing first-hand the dismal rates of graduation of students in the single course he teaches for The Odyssey Program. Serving as good Public Relations for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the program’s purpose was two-fold; it was to provide, at no cost, college level course(s) for low-income adults and look good for the University. In this excerpt, Marsh’s narrow vision seems to have opened up somewhat, however, it does not demonstrate that his visual field widened enough to see that there is much, much more than simply economics or education that is at play in determining where people end up in the spectrum of being considered successful in the United States. (Marsh 914)
With Upward Bound, this can give me a proper glimpse of what to expect as I enter into college. In less than two years, I will be graduating soon with little to no knowledge on how my dream college will be like. From how to manage my classes to being financially stable for the next four years. That can be difficult, especially for someone who is going to be independent throughout their life and might go to school away from home so they will not get the financial or emotional support they need. Despite that, Upward Bound can give me a preview of what it is like to be independent.
The adversity that was displayed through racial inequalities became a platform for me to trust myself even more along with advocating an example for future young students to neglect any doubt previously conceived of them. It inspired the drive to exhibit triumph and became an ultimate fuel that leads me to the aspiration of love, hope, and success for the years to come. The configuration of a vision of fulfilling my own destiny shaped my undying dream. A dream to say, "I have a
I believe the results of this survey to be accurate as the survey was conducted in a fair and professional manner. However, I also discovered how easy it can be to manipulate the data and the opinions of participants to favor a single viewpoint. Surveys are an important method of gathering, summarizing and presenting large amounts of data. However, when relying on polls to form opinions or make decisions, people should consider the source, look for any conflicts of interest, contemplate other avenues of information and draw their own conclusions.
This paper sets the political and academic context for such programming, examines three programs that we believe meet the multiple of objectives of serving stude...
...les to insure the women take the necessary steps to getting out of poverty, “No drugs or alcohol are allowed, and absolutely no men” (Thibodeaux). Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage highlights Rector’s keys to staying out of poverty and educates not only the single mothers in the program, but their children as well. The program aims to spark generational education and eliminate the chance of the children falling into the dark hole of poverty. As Barbara Gault, executive director of the Institute of Women’s Policy Research, said, “when a single mother gets a college degree, you’re reaching her kids and her kids’ kids” (Thibodeaux), yet again illustrating the importance of education in eradicating poverty. Overall, welfare has the potential to help achieve the American Dream; nevertheless, current programs yield the misuse of welfare and the potential of welfare dependence.
As previously stated, it appears there are persistant barriers present that hinder enrollment, retention, and rate of graduation for African Americans in higher education. It is imperative that educational concerns for African Americans are addressed at all levels, but it is particularly important at the post secondary stage. Higher levels of education are associated with both lower unemployment rates and a higher income. If...
Hossler and Bean (1990) view EM through a far more holistic lens than do Kraatz, Ventresca, & Deng (2010). Kraatz et al. (2010) focus on the organizational structuring of EM and the “consolidation of various administrative functions that have the potential to affect enrollments and tuition revenues” (p. 1524). Hossler and Bean (1990) too see EM as a strategic planning initiative, but know that its practices extend far beyond just admissions and financial aid. Included within their definition of organizational practices are “student college choice, transition to college, student attrition and retention, and student outcomes” (p. 5).
...ion and success. While much has been researched, the journey has only just begun. Very briefly I have highlighted a topic that has been and still could be researched with hundreds of different auxiliary issues stemming from it. Delving further into what student life departments do for student retention and success and their role in this process is a very important piece of this ever expanding puzzle. There is not a lot of literature or research on the topic right now and while this specific question is still a very broad topic, it can easily be narrowed down and sectioned off for more specific goals and research. What we need but do not have a whole lot of yet is a body of research that delves into the nature of institutional practices when it comes to student life departments, their theories and practices and the impact they have on student success and retention.
The articles, published after 1996, contain varied methods of research attainment, but share similarities such as being a self-survey, having a small sample size, and being
Retention issues is an aspect that plagues many colleges and universities today. Despite all the incredible advantages that come along with having an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, but retention rates remain high. As provost of the college, it is time to redesign and incorporate at least two retention programs.
With the general acknowledgement of today’s society, vast changes are witnessed by time, following many interesting things attracting the public’s attentions, especially the controversial questions and topics about the college education. Some people think that college education is necessary for the high school graduates. It helps them build an integrated education system and teach them all the useful knowledge and skills so that these teenagers can get a coming bright future. On the other hand, other opponents claim that college education is not worth its cost because it truly brings many college graduates a huge amount of loans and debts, even some of them can’t get their dreaming jobs, so college
Education plays a very important role in a person’s life. Basic education is attained through primary school and high school. Education may be further perused after graduating from high school by attending university. This decision can make a person’s future brighter because, in most cases it is really hard to get a well-paid job and live a stable life without having a bachelor’s degree. However, people who want to peruse higher education must know that although there are similarities, there are also some differences between high school and university in terms of assignments, teachers, and responsibilities.
...sis, which could make all results invalid. With any research projects, limitations will be present. It is important to attempt to eliminate some of these causes in order to complete a thorough, accurate study. In future projects, this study could go about researching the issue in different ways. Perhaps using a larger sample size would be conducive for accurate results. A larger sample size helps reduce and even out any possible errors caused by those who do not answer truthfully. Also, keeping the surveys mainly anonymous would help to receive more truthful and accurate responses from participants. Participants may be fearful of judgments on open interviews or phone interviews, which could affect responses. In order to obtain as accurate results as possible, a future study would need to find ways to survey participants in a confidential way that feels comfortable.